Sauna attire has a long and fascinating history, dating back to ancient cultures in Scandinavia and Greece. One could argue that there is just as rich a selection of possible sauna attire today! For beginners, selecting the appropriate sauna attire can be a bit tricky. Factors such as the sauna type, whether it’s a communal experience, and the sauna’s location all play a role in determining what’s best to wear.
Are you wondering what to wear in a sauna? You have come to the right place. Wearing the right clothing in a sauna can greatly enhance your comfort and enjoyment. Let’s dive into the best options for sauna attire.
What to Wear in a Sauna: Expert Guide for Comfort and Safety
In this section, let’s talk about all of the potential dress codes that you may see in saunas today. There are some key differences between dress codes when it comes to the major sauna types. We’ll also cover what to wear in a sauna to ensure both comfort and proper sauna etiquette.
What to Wear in a Traditional Sauna
The most traditional sauna attire is, well, nothing at all. Old school Finns have been using the sauna naked for centuries. This, however, only represents a small number of people who use saunas today. But more recently, there is wiggle room about the sauna dress code. Finnish sauna etiquette says that there is a step after spending time in the heat of the sauna that is just as necessary to the process. After spending time in the heat of the sauna, sauna users are then supposed to quickly jump into a lake or a pile of snow to give the body a cold sensory shock. The experience can be quite electrifying.
Many modern Finns or Finnish expats also say that using a pool instead of a lake is fine. At that, die-hard Finns say that the only way to get the most out of a sauna is to use it completely naked. But don’t treat this like a rule. This is based on ancient practices. While the most hardcore sauna users may speak the praises of nude soaks, there are many places and reasons why wearing a sauna towel wrap. A sauna bathing suit may even be required.
Familiarizing yourself with Finnish sauna etiquette ensures you can enjoy the sauna respectfully and comfortably, whether alone or with others.
Because traditional Finnish wood-burning saunas expect you to probably go swimming afterward, modernly many people wear a sauna bathing suit. But because traditional Finnish saunas are often communal it is perfectly fine to wear even sauna clothing. This is if you aren’t comfortable wearing only a swimsuit in public. Understanding the sauna dress code can help you enjoy the experience confidently while respecting local customs.
Sauna Dress Codes at Spas and Public Facilities
If you are using a traditional sauna at a spa, you will likely have to directly consult the sauna dress code laid out by the establishment themselves. You can also take a few additional precautions to guarantee a seamless and enjoyable spa experience.
First, be certain that you sit on a sauna towel wrap. Your towel should fully cover where your legs would meet the sauna’s bench. Especially in spas where many people may be sitting on the same bench throughout the day. It’s wise to make sure that your skin isn’t directly touching that surface. Wooden benches in saunas are able to hold quite a few germs, and especially unsanitary ones can even develop mould. While spa staff will undoubtedly try to keep their saunas clean, taking personal precautions is also very important.
What to Wear in an Infrared Sauna
This can be a somewhat tricky question. Although infrared saunas provide a comparable level of warmth to conventional wood-burning saunas, the way they produce heat is fundamentally distinct. Infrared saunas radiate heat from a central heater that points directly at the person using the sauna. Because the heat from an infrared sauna comes from radiation, the less fabric in the way of the radiating heat would then lead to a full sauna session. Understanding what to wear in an infrared sauna can help you maximize the benefits and comfort of your session.
Here’s one way to look at it. Dressing minimally in an infrared sauna allows your body to absorb the maximum benefit from the sauna’s radiant heat. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll get the most out of your experience. Infrared saunas are so efficient that it actually does not matter very much what clothes you choose to wear as long as they are both comfortable and don’t lead to overheating.It’s perfectly acceptable to wear a T-shirt along with a swimsuit if that’s your preference. But keep a close eye on your comfort, as overheating can happen quite quickly in an infrared sauna. This is because infrared saunas are so small and concentrated.
Infrared saunas are not paired with taking a swim quite like traditional saunas, so there is less of an expectation for you to wear a swimsuit. Many people wear just a thin sauna towel wrap while using infrared saunas. But the good news is many infrared saunas are private. There is absolutely no risk of being the odd one out, or being the only one wearing swim trunks. Deciding what to wear in an infrared sauna can also affect how effectively your body absorbs the radiant heat.
What to Wear in a Steam Room
Steam rooms usually have very specific dress codes depending on what type of steam room you are using. More involved steam rooms like the Turkish Hammam may actually not give you a choice of dress and instead demand that you wear the Hammam’s smallclothes. This is usually because the Hammam has a several-step detox process that includes a steam room. In general, however, steam rooms have a quite similar sauna dress code to a wood-burning sauna. Being aware of what to wear in a steam room ensures both comfort and respect for the facility’s traditions.
Because steam rooms are both incredibly humid and make users sweat quite a bit, wearing less clothes is your best option. Most steam room users wrap a sauna towel wrap around their bodies and enter the room like that. But it is more than understandable why that may make some steam room users anxious. There is nothing wrong with wearing a sauna bathing suit in a steam room, even under a towel. But the more layers and fabric you wear, the more likely you’ll overheat or get uncomfortable from the moisture.
Spas and clubs in many parts of the world will probably expect you to use a steam room nude. So be sure to check club rules before settling on a steam room. When going to a steam room, be certain to bring a swimsuit, change of clothes, and a sauna towel wrap if not supplied by the steam room staff.
Sauna Etiquette and Dress Codes at Spas and Gyms
When using a sauna at a gym or spa, it’s important to follow both general etiquette and the specific dress code of the establishment. In your private sauna, your primary concerns should be your own comfort and cleanliness. While those are still important in public saunas, you need to be more mindful of others. For example, in public saunas at your local gym or spa, it’s best to start with the most modest option for sauna attire and work your way down from there. This likely means packing a swimsuit and a sauna towel wrap in your gym bag, just in case.
In a private sauna, you have greater freedom to choose whatever attire feels most comfortable. Since you manage the sauna’s upkeep, you can sit directly on the benches, but it remains important to maintain hygiene through regular cleaning and disinfecting.
Proper Footwear and Accessories for Sauna Use
Proper footwear and accessories are crucial for using public saunas. A key component of the spa sauna dress code is wearing sandals that cover the entire sole of your foot. While it’s acceptable to skip footwear when using your own sauna, in public spas, cleanliness is a concern, especially in the sauna area. Even the tidiest spas can have dirty floors, especially inside the sauna. To stay comfortable and avoid overheating, it’s best to go barefoot while inside. However, when walking around the spa facilities, use comfortable sandals. But be prepared to take them off before entering the sauna. The heat inside the sauna makes plastic sandals uncomfortable, so it's best to leave them outside.
What to Avoid Wearing in a Sauna
While saunas are often quite good at laying out exactly what you should wear while using their facilities, there is often a lack of information on the opposite. What you shouldn’t wear. Many kinds of clothing aren’t suitable for sauna use and should be avoided. We have answered your question, “What to wear in a sauna?” Now let’s see what should be avoided.
What Not to Wear in a Traditional Sauna
For a traditional sauna, certain clothing items are best skipped to ensure both comfort and safety. The number one thing to steer clear of is a hat. Do not wear hats in wood-burning saunas. A hat can cause overheating quickly, as most of the body’s heat escapes through the head and feet. Just like you wouldn’t wear shoes or socks in a sauna, wearing a hat can feel very uncomfortable and, in severe cases, it may lead to quicker dehydration.
There is, however, one exception to the hat rule: the traditional Finnish lahtiset hat. Made of wool, the lahtiset helps regulate the heat around your head, unlike cotton or polyester hats, which can restrict heat release. If you're interested in trying a lahtiset hat, there are several weavers online who handcraft them to fit your size. Be sure to ask your spa or sauna facility if wearing a lahtiset hat is permitted in their sauna.
Since traditional saunas are typically much hotter than other types of saunas, it’s essential not to wear anything that traps heat against your skin. This includes items such as long-sleeve shirts or sauna sandals that cover too much of your feet. In a traditional sauna, maximizing skin exposure to the heat helps create a more efficient and enjoyable experience.
What Not to Wear in an Infrared Sauna
Since infrared saunas are usually private, there are not too many others to worry about when it comes to clothes that aren’t ‘allowed’. But since the heat from an infrared sauna comes from radiation, any piece of clothing that gets in between the radiating heat and your body ought to be highly scrutinised. For example, wearing clothes that are already wet while using an infrared sauna may lead to extreme discomfort! As the sauna heats up the water in your clothes faster than your overall body.
Like in a traditional sauna, exposing more skin to the warm air can enhance your comfort and overall experience. Of course, since the heat from a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna come about for wholly different reasons, it's a coincidence that the advice for both saunas’ dress codes is the same. But if wearing fewer clothes makes you feel uncomfortable, there is nothing wrong with wearing light and flowing clothes while using an infrared sauna.
What Not to Wear in a Steam Room
One of the most significant risks a person could face in a steam room stems from wearing certain items. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some individuals chose to wear masks while using public steam rooms or sauna facilities. Wearing a mask in a steam room is highly unsafe, since the damp air can cause it to stick to your face, hindering proper airflow and breathing.
If going mask-free in a steam room feels uneasy, consider consulting the staff to explore possible alternatives or accommodations. Steam rooms also present a risk of spreading germs due to their enclosed nature. Using a surgical mask can ruin your steam room experience and might even create a significant safety risk.
Additionally, steam rooms cause the body to sweat heavily, and the moisture can lead to slight skin expansion. Though this isn’t typically a major issue for clothing, small accessories like rings or tight bracelets may become uncomfortable or difficult to remove after spending a long time in the steam sauna. It's best to leave these items outside the steam room to avoid any discomfort.
What Not to Wear in a Public Sauna
In public saunas, certain clothing choices should be avoided. As with traditional saunas, it’s best to skip wearing hats, since they can retain heat and make the experience less comfortable. However, more importantly, you should never wear outside shoes or sandals into a public sauna. Even sandals you’ve worn outdoors should not be used inside the sauna. Once footwear comes into contact with surfaces like sidewalks or gym floors, it picks up more germs than you may realise. Introducing germs into a sauna can endanger not only yourself but also the staff and fellow guests.
To maintain proper hygiene, invest in a pair of sandals that are exclusively for sauna use. Be sure to wash them regularly after each visit. By following this practice, you’re not only protecting yourself but also showing respect for the public sauna facilities and others who use them. Cleanliness and etiquette are essential when using a public sauna, ensuring a pleasant experience for everyone.
The Risks of Wearing Metal Jewellery in a Sauna
While it’s not strictly related to clothing, wearing sunglasses or metal jewellery in a traditional sauna can cause discomfort. Keeping sunglasses on while in the heat can lead to red marks on your face, where the glasses rested. The same applies to metal jewellery. The heat in the sauna and the increased blood flow can make anything pressed against the skin feel painful. Wearing heavy metal jewellery, a watch, or any other accessory that rests directly on the skin for too long in a sauna may result in marks or irritation.
Public Sauna Expectations in Europe Versus North America
While we know about the traditional sauna practices in Finland, but what should you wear in a sauna across the rest of Europe and North America? There are interesting differences in sauna customs depending on where you plan to enjoy your sauna session. Across much of Europe, traditional saunas follow the Finnish practice, where sauna-goers typically enter the sauna naked. This practice is often enforced for hygiene reasons, as even clean swimsuits can introduce bacteria into the sauna. However, specific sauna dress codes may vary depending on the rules of the sauna facility. Knowing what to wear in a sauna can help you feel comfortable and respectful of local customs.
Let’s take Iceland as an example. Reykjavik has several popular sauna and hot spring facilities, such as the Blue Lagoon. Due to its international tourist base, this resort has more relaxed rules about wearing swimsuits in its hot springs and saunas. You can often tell who is local and who is a visitor from America or Western Europe based on their attire in the shower rooms.
However, if you visit a public sauna in Reykjavik frequented by locals, you’ll be expected to follow stricter rules. This may include going nude and showering without a swimsuit. Similarly, in France, saunas in Paris may allow swimsuits. While in Strasbourg, located near the German border, the rules are stricter about nudity for sanitary reasons.
In North America, sauna customs can vary even more. In places like New York and Boston, traditional saunas commonly have distinct sections for guests who choose to be nude and those who opt to stay in swimsuits. Moving westward, however, sauna dress codes generally become more casual, with nudity playing a smaller role.
How to Use a Sauna: Preparing for Your Sauna Session
When it comes to how to use a sauna, it’s fairly easy to get it right. Before your session, it’s important to keep a few crucial tips in mind. One of the most common mistakes is forgetting essential items like your sauna sandals or not bringing appropriate sauna wear, especially when swim trunks are required. Above all, your own comfort should be the top priority. If wearing a thin T-shirt or light sauna clothing makes you feel more at ease, you won’t miss out on the benefits of the sauna experience by doing so.
If you’re considering dressing down while using the sauna, it’s always polite to check with others in the sauna to ensure everyone is comfortable with your attire. Different gyms or spas have varying policies, so always follow the sauna etiquette outlined by the facility. Be sure to review and follow these guidelines, particularly in public sauna settings. This also includes knowing what to wear in a sauna to stay both comfortable and respectful.
Whether visiting a sauna in Europe or North America, taking note of regional rules and etiquette is crucial. Knowing what the wear in a sauna can provide a guide for the sauna etiquette of your location. This will ensure that you have a pleasant and respectful experience.
Preparing for your sauna session should focus on your comfort & relaxation, while keeping the facility’s dress code and cleanliness in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the one essential item I need to bring to any public sauna session?
The most essential item is a towel wrap. It helps maintain hygiene, provides a comfortable barrier between you and the bench, and can also be used to sit or lie on during your session.
Can you wear your regular workout gear or athletic shorts in a sauna?
No, regular workout clothes or athletic shorts are not recommended. They can trap heat, reduce the effectiveness of the sauna, and make you feel uncomfortable.
What should I wear when using a traditional wood-burning sauna?
Minimal clothing or a thin towel wrap is best in a traditional sauna. This allows maximum skin exposure, letting your body absorb the heat effectively while remaining comfortable.
Are sunglasses or reading glasses safe to wear in a sauna?
No, it is not safe to wear sunglasses or reading glasses in a sauna. The intense heat can warp or damage the frames and lenses, posing a risk to your eyes and comfort.
What to wear in a dry sauna vs steam room if I want to be fully covered?
In a dry sauna, a lightweight towel wrap works well to stay fully covered while allowing heat to reach your skin.
In a steam room, a swimsuit or towel wrap is appropriate depending on the facility’s rules, and it helps keep you comfortable in the humid environment.
Why are the risks of wearing metal jewellery in a sauna so high?
Wearing metal jewellery in a sauna is risky because metal conducts heat rapidly. This can lead to burns or discomfort. Key points to remember:
- Metal heats up much faster than skin, increasing burn risk.
- Even small items like rings or earrings can become dangerously hot.
- Always remove all metal jewellery before entering the sauna.
What do I wear in a steam room at a gym if I don't own a swimsuit?
If you don’t have a swimsuit, use a towel wrap provided by the gym or bring your own. It ensures hygiene, comfort, and that you are following proper steam room etiquette.
Can you wear clothes in a sauna?
Yes, you can wear clothes in a sauna, but it’s generally recommended to wear minimal clothing or a towel wrap to allow your body to absorb heat effectively and stay comfortable.
What do you wear in a steam room?
In a steam room, you can wear a swimsuit or a towel wrap, depending on the facility’s rules and your comfort level.
How to dress for sauna session in a public spa?
For a public spa sauna, wear a towel wrap or swimsuit, bring an extra towel to sit on, and follow the facility’s dress code and hygiene guidelines.
